Illinois has chosen a Blue Cross Blue Shield small group policy as the benchmark plan for essential health benefits in the state, another milestone in implementing President Barack Obama's health care law.

It’s been six years since Champaign-Urbana hosted one of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's collection events for household hazardous waste. And organizers are expecting a big turnout for the event which takes place on Saturday, September 29th, on the north end of Champaign.